Seems everyone’s jumping on the blog-wagon. Right now, this minute, there are almost 200 million blog sites on the internet.
It’s crazy, really, to think that so many people have so many things to say.

I know, I should talk– I’m one of them! I stumbled onto my blog site trying to post a comment on someone else’s blog post. I was getting very frustrated with the log-in process, it seemed so complicated! That’s because I was registering for my own SITE, not registering to comment. Duh.
But, 170 posts later, it was one of my better technological errors.

Did you know that in 2004, “blogs” became so popular they influenced mainstream media to the extent that it went from a made up mash-up of “web logs” to an entry in Merriam-Webster’s printed dictionary for 2005? Ten years later, here we are… blah, blah, blog.

Blog. Ugh. What kind of word is that? If it was an onomatopoeia, the definition would be way more disgusting than digital diary or online journal. I’m just sayin’.

Blogs are a quick and easy way to keep in touch, up to date and informed professionally. My favorite blogs are those that post on a regular basis, but not too often. I only have so much time to read and oftentimes, blogs inspire me to research further. I also find myself clicking out of long blogs. Short and sweet, I enjoy academic blogs but prefer those with personality. I love blogs that offer me something (even if it’s just a brief escape) and tend to unfollow those that solicit beyond what I deem mutually beneficial.

There are many reasons to blog– or follow a blog. It’s no longer six degrees of separation. With the internet, we’re merely a click or two away. Two clicks of separation.
You can connect with other readers, other writers, other botanists (I’m guessing, not my thing), grandmas, bakers, gymnasts, rebels, recluses, and rednecks. Sure, why not?
And others can connect with you.

Some of the blogs I follow:
Kelly Epperson Simmons – A former IRS agent, now an agent of JOY, Kelly helps you fulfill your dreams. But mostly she’s just awesome.
Chris Cacciatore – The Life and Times of Poopwa Foley. Because life with a funny nickname is just… better. Love her sense of humor and snark.
Linda Kleczkowski – Linda’s Pensieve, a place to put thoughts, opinions, dialogue, ideas, you name it. Linda gets a shout out because it was her blog I was trying to comment on the day I started my own.
Derek Rempfer – Sharing his insight, humor, and emotion in an attempt to connect with readers. Kudos to Derek for his timing. (He just posted a new blog.)
Jane Friedman – Helping authors and publishers flourish in the digital age.
2UnpublishedGirls – (although one of them is published now) 2 sisters on their way to fame, fortune, and wild success.
I Miss You when I Blink – This site might best be described as “on deadline, off topic.” She’s funny and clever and silly and fast.

I actually follow a LOT more, but not everyone posts regularly. Or often. Or at all.

Right now, this minute, there are almost 18.6 billion blogs on the internet.
It’s crazy, really, to think that so many people have so many things to read.
Thank you for taking the time to read mine.